In a high-stakes bid to avoid election night turmoil, courts across key U.S. battleground states are fast-tracking procedures to handle lawsuits tied to the fiercely contested November 5 presidential election. Swift resolutions aim to prevent prolonged legal battles that could disrupt or delay the certification of results.
Arizona became the latest to adopt urgent protocols, with the state’s supreme court instructing trial judges to prioritize election-related disputes. This includes cases involving vote recounts and presidential electors to ensure every challenge is resolved in time for final certification. “Judicial priority is critical during a presidential election,” emphasized Chief Justice Ann Scott Timmer.
The election has sparked an onslaught of lawsuits from both major political camps, setting the stage for legal battles over mail-in ballot verification, claims of illegal voting, and other contentious issues. Analysts expect Election Day will trigger a cascade of new lawsuits, reflecting lingering tensions from 2020, when over 60 unsuccessful cases were filed in efforts to overturn President Biden’s victory.
Arizona joins Pennsylvania and Michigan in taking proactive steps to keep election disputes under tight control. Pennsylvania’s supreme court recently reduced the window for election-related appeals to three days, with briefs due within 24 hours. Meanwhile, Michigan’s judiciary has issued detailed guidelines for managing emergency election lawsuits, including after-hours procedures to ensure urgent rulings are processed without delay.
Courts are also preparing for potential security risks. With rising national tensions, judiciary officials have warned judges to be vigilant, anticipating heightened threats in the volatile environment surrounding the election.
The advance moves reflect lessons learned from the tumultuous aftermath of the 2020 election, says Justin Levitt, an election law scholar. “This kind of preparation ensures that when the lawsuits inevitably come, the process runs smoothly,” said Levitt, highlighting how early planning could help keep post-election disputes from spiraling out of control.
With states like Arizona, Pennsylvania, and Michigan expected to play decisive roles in determining the outcome, the ability to swiftly resolve legal challenges could be critical in a race where every vote – and every ruling – will count.
